FAMILY COOKING WORKSHOPS SET FOR JANUARY 17, MARCH 28 AT NATIONAL MUSEUM

The Japanese American National Museum will present two opportunities for families to learn together how to cook and create fun and healthy meals through the expertise of Kidding Around the Kitchen, with workshops available on Saturday, January 17, beginning at 11 a.m. and on Saturday, March 28, also starting at 11 a.m. at the National Museum in Little Tokyo.

The January 17 workshop theme is "WOK and ROLL Family Cooking Adventure", featuring a selection of easy and healthy stir-fry recipes (Wok) and hands-on sushi making (Roll). Fees for this workshop are $25 for National Museum members (for one child and one adult) and $35 for non-members. The fees include supplies. This workshop is sponsored in part by the California Rice Commission.

The March 28 workshop focuses on "Spring Rolls into JANM", highlighting the coming of spring and the creation of an assortment of Asian foods, including sweet and savory spring and egg rolls and noodle soups. This workshop is also $25 for National Museum members (for one child and one adult) and $35 for non-members (includes supplies).

Kidding Around the Kitchen aims to help families learn how to make and eat food together without a major time commitment. It also provides tips on how to shop smarter and how to create healthier meals that are fun for the entire family. One of the goals of Kidding Around the Kitchen is to encourage families to spend more time together while empowering children to play a role in their own meals.

Kidding Around the Kitchen has developed a system for children to learn safely about cooking. Those participants between 5 and 8 years of age are considered Chefs in Training and require the support of an adult helper. Those 9 to 12 years old are considered Junior Chefs and may need the aid of an adult helper. Those 13 to 15 years old are potentially Master Chefs, who mostly need adult helpers to consume their creations.

To reserve spots in either of the workshops, call the Japanese American National Museum at (213) 625-0414, ext. 2222. For more information on other programs at the National Museum, go to www.janm.org. For more information on Kidding Around the Kitchen, go to www.kiddingaroundthekitchen.com.